News Analysis India

Tag: Coronavirus

  • COVID-19: India records 19,400 new cases, 49 deaths; active infections decline to 1,34,793

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With 19,406 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,41,26,994, while active cases declined to 1,34,793, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,649 with 49 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.31 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.50 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 571 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.96 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 4.63 per cent, it said.

    The number of recoveries surged to 4,34,65,552, while the case fatality rate 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 205.92 crore doses against Covid have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore cases on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year.

    NEW DELHI: With 19,406 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,41,26,994, while active cases declined to 1,34,793, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,649 with 49 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    The active cases comprise 0.31 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.50 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 571 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.96 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 4.63 per cent, it said.

    The number of recoveries surged to 4,34,65,552, while the case fatality rate 1.19 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 205.92 crore doses against Covid have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore cases on May 4, three crore on June 23 last year and four crore on January 25 this year.

  • Govt panel recommends Corbevax as booster for adults vaccinated with Covishield, Covaxin

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: A government panel on Covid immunisation has recommended allowing Biological E’s Corbevax as a precaution dose for adults fully vaccinated with either Covishield or Covaxin, official sources said on Tuesday.

    If approved by the government, this would be the first time a booster dose of a Covid vaccine different from the one used for primary vaccination would be allowed in the country.

    The COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) made the recommendation in its 48th meeting held on July 20, an official source told PTI.

    “Corbevax may be considered for a third/precaution dose six months after completion of primary series of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for population above 18 years wherever indicated,” the recommendation stated.

    India’s first indigenously developed RBD protein subunit vaccine Corbevax is currently being used to inoculate children in the age group of 12 to 14 years under the COVID-19 Immunisation programme.

    The COVID-19 Working Group (CWG), in its July 20 meeting, reviewed data of the double-blind randomized phase-3 clinical study which evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of booster dose of Corbevax vaccine when administered to COVID-19-negative adult volunteers of age 18-80 years previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.

    “Following the examination of the data, the CWG observed that Corbevax vaccine can induce significant increase in antibody titers when given to those who have received either Covaxin or Covishield, which is likely to be protective as per the neutralization data also,” the source said.

    The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on June 4 approved Corbevax as a precaution dose for those aged 18 and above.

    At present, the same COVID-19 vaccine which has been used for administration of first and second doses is being given as precaution dose to all aged 18 years and above.

    More than 4.13 crore precaution doses have been administered in the 18-59 age group while over 5.11 crore precaution doses have been given to those aged 60 and above and healthcare and frontline workers.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The country began inoculating children aged 12-14 from March 16 and also removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose of Covid vaccine.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.

    NEW DELHI: A government panel on Covid immunisation has recommended allowing Biological E’s Corbevax as a precaution dose for adults fully vaccinated with either Covishield or Covaxin, official sources said on Tuesday.

    If approved by the government, this would be the first time a booster dose of a Covid vaccine different from the one used for primary vaccination would be allowed in the country.

    The COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) made the recommendation in its 48th meeting held on July 20, an official source told PTI.

    “Corbevax may be considered for a third/precaution dose six months after completion of primary series of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for population above 18 years wherever indicated,” the recommendation stated.

    India’s first indigenously developed RBD protein subunit vaccine Corbevax is currently being used to inoculate children in the age group of 12 to 14 years under the COVID-19 Immunisation programme.

    The COVID-19 Working Group (CWG), in its July 20 meeting, reviewed data of the double-blind randomized phase-3 clinical study which evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of booster dose of Corbevax vaccine when administered to COVID-19-negative adult volunteers of age 18-80 years previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.

    “Following the examination of the data, the CWG observed that Corbevax vaccine can induce significant increase in antibody titers when given to those who have received either Covaxin or Covishield, which is likely to be protective as per the neutralization data also,” the source said.

    The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on June 4 approved Corbevax as a precaution dose for those aged 18 and above.

    At present, the same COVID-19 vaccine which has been used for administration of first and second doses is being given as precaution dose to all aged 18 years and above.

    More than 4.13 crore precaution doses have been administered in the 18-59 age group while over 5.11 crore precaution doses have been given to those aged 60 and above and healthcare and frontline workers.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The country began inoculating children aged 12-14 from March 16 and also removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose of Covid vaccine.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.

  • Active Covid cases in country dip to 1,39,792 with 27 new deaths

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With 13,734 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases has risen to 4,40,50,009, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,430 with 27 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases have declined to 1,39,792. They comprise 0.32 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.49 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 4,197 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    NEW DELHI: With 13,734 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases has risen to 4,40,50,009, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,430 with 27 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases have declined to 1,39,792. They comprise 0.32 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.49 per cent, the ministry said.

    A decrease of 4,197 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

  • India records 19,673 Covid cases, 39 fatalities in a day; active infections reach to 1,43,676

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India’s COVID-19 case rally rose by 19,673 in a day to reach 4,40,19,811 while active cases reached 1,43,676, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,357 with 39 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    Active caseload increased by 292 in a day and comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.48 per cent, the ministry said.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the viral disease surged to 4,33,49,778 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent.

    The daily positivity rate was 4.96 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.88 per cent.

    According to the Union Health Ministry, 204.25 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

    India’s COVID-19 case tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year, three crore on June 23 and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 39 new fatalities include seven in West Bengal, four in Maharashtra, three in Delhi, two each from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and one each in Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand.

    NEW DELHI: India’s COVID-19 case rally rose by 19,673 in a day to reach 4,40,19,811 while active cases reached 1,43,676, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll has climbed to 5,26,357 with 39 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

    Active caseload increased by 292 in a day and comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.48 per cent, the ministry said.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the viral disease surged to 4,33,49,778 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent.

    The daily positivity rate was 4.96 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.88 per cent.

    According to the Union Health Ministry, 204.25 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

    India’s COVID-19 case tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year, three crore on June 23 and four crore on January 25 this year.

    The 39 new fatalities include seven in West Bengal, four in Maharashtra, three in Delhi, two each from Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and one each in Assam, Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura and Uttarakhand.

  • Mizoram’s COVID-positivity rate jumps to 30 per cent

    By PTI

    AIZAWL: Mizoram reported 218 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday at a positivity rate of 30.28 per cent, a health official said.

    Aizawl district reported the highest number of fresh cases at 84, followed by Lunglei district (54) and Mamit district (26), he said.

    The Northeastern state has so far reported 2,32,602 cases. The death toll remained at 710 with no new fatalities recorded. The positivity rate jumped to 30.28 per cent from 22.22 per cent on Friday, the official said, adding that the new cases were detected after testing 719 samples.

    There are 1,013 active cases in the state at present, while 2,30,879 people have recovered, including 127 in the last 24 hours, he said.

    AIZAWL: Mizoram reported 218 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday at a positivity rate of 30.28 per cent, a health official said.

    Aizawl district reported the highest number of fresh cases at 84, followed by Lunglei district (54) and Mamit district (26), he said.

    The Northeastern state has so far reported 2,32,602 cases. The death toll remained at 710 with no new fatalities recorded. The positivity rate jumped to 30.28 per cent from 22.22 per cent on Friday, the official said, adding that the new cases were detected after testing 719 samples.

    There are 1,013 active cases in the state at present, while 2,30,879 people have recovered, including 127 in the last 24 hours, he said.

  • 30 school children vaccinated with just one syringe in Madhya Pradesh, probe ordered

    By Express News Service

    BHOPAL: A chilling case of negligence in Covid-19 vaccination of school children happened in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

    In flagrant violation of the established ‘one needle-one syringe-only one-time’ protocol, advisories and pledges by the central government, national and international agencies, at least 30 school children were administered Covid-19 vaccine doses with just a single syringe at a reputed school in Sagar city, a kilometre from the state capital Bhopal.

    The shocker happened at the Jain Public Higher Secondary School by male vaccinator Jitendra Rai.

    Immediately, Dinesh Namdev, one of the parents accompanying their children for vaccination, spotted the anomaly and blew the whistle. “My daughter is a Class 9 student and was among those vaccinated on Wednesday. I enquired from the man vaccinating the kids, as to how many syringes were being used by him to vaccinate the children. His reply was shocking, as he informed that, at least 40 children had been vaccinated with just one syringe. I immediately reported the matter to the school administration,” he said.

    “Who will be held responsible, if our kids develop any health complications out of this blatant single syringe usage? Will it be the school or the health department, who will take the responsibility if anything adverse happens with our kids,” he questioned.

    With the news of the shocking negligence spreading like wildfire, the officiating Sagar district collector Kshitij Singhal rushed the district’s chief medical and health officer [CMHO] Dr DK Goswami to the concerned school.

    Before the CMHO could reach the spot, the scribes quizzed Jitendra on camera, who admitted vaccinating at least 30 children with one syringe. “I vaccinated 30 children with one syringe, as just one syringe was given to me and I was asked by the department staff to vaccinate all kids with just one syringe. I knew that one syringe shouldn’t be used, but since I was told to do so, I did,” he said. He also could not recollect who from the health department had sent him and dropped him at the school for the Covid vaccination drive.

    During the primary on-the-spot inspection and probe by the CMHO, Jitendra was found missing from the school premises and his phone was also switched off. “While an FIR has been registered by the health department against Jitendra at the Gopalganj police station, a departmental probe against the district vaccination officer Dr Rakesh Roshan has been recommended to the Sagar divisional commissioner,” an official statement from the Sagar district administration stated.

    Meanwhile, the opposition Congress’s state spokesperson Abbas Hafeez demanded the state health minister Dr Prabhuram Chowdhary’s resignation over the flagrant negligence during the vaccination of children at the school. “What has happened at the school in Sagar, exposes that the state’s health apparatus is flouting all safety norms and protocols in the name of achieving targets under the Covid vaccination mega campaign to score points nationally. Just to stay ahead in national Covid vaccination statistics, the state health apparatus is treating our kids as guinea-pigs. This blatant anomaly has been spotted by one parent at the school today, but this has triggered an apprehension about similar negligence having happened elsewhere with our generation next in the state in the past,” Hafeez alleged.

    It is to be recalled that a month before the Covid-19 vaccination actually started in India, in January 2021, the union ministry for health and family welfare had reportedly pledged strict usage of the “One needle, one syringe, only one-time” protocol in COVID vaccination across the country. 

    BHOPAL: A chilling case of negligence in Covid-19 vaccination of school children happened in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday.

    In flagrant violation of the established ‘one needle-one syringe-only one-time’ protocol, advisories and pledges by the central government, national and international agencies, at least 30 school children were administered Covid-19 vaccine doses with just a single syringe at a reputed school in Sagar city, a kilometre from the state capital Bhopal.

    The shocker happened at the Jain Public Higher Secondary School by male vaccinator Jitendra Rai.

    Immediately, Dinesh Namdev, one of the parents accompanying their children for vaccination, spotted the anomaly and blew the whistle. “My daughter is a Class 9 student and was among those vaccinated on Wednesday. I enquired from the man vaccinating the kids, as to how many syringes were being used by him to vaccinate the children. His reply was shocking, as he informed that, at least 40 children had been vaccinated with just one syringe. I immediately reported the matter to the school administration,” he said.

    “Who will be held responsible, if our kids develop any health complications out of this blatant single syringe usage? Will it be the school or the health department, who will take the responsibility if anything adverse happens with our kids,” he questioned.

    With the news of the shocking negligence spreading like wildfire, the officiating Sagar district collector Kshitij Singhal rushed the district’s chief medical and health officer [CMHO] Dr DK Goswami to the concerned school.

    Before the CMHO could reach the spot, the scribes quizzed Jitendra on camera, who admitted vaccinating at least 30 children with one syringe. “I vaccinated 30 children with one syringe, as just one syringe was given to me and I was asked by the department staff to vaccinate all kids with just one syringe. I knew that one syringe shouldn’t be used, but since I was told to do so, I did,” he said. He also could not recollect who from the health department had sent him and dropped him at the school for the Covid vaccination drive.

    During the primary on-the-spot inspection and probe by the CMHO, Jitendra was found missing from the school premises and his phone was also switched off. “While an FIR has been registered by the health department against Jitendra at the Gopalganj police station, a departmental probe against the district vaccination officer Dr Rakesh Roshan has been recommended to the Sagar divisional commissioner,” an official statement from the Sagar district administration stated.

    Meanwhile, the opposition Congress’s state spokesperson Abbas Hafeez demanded the state health minister Dr Prabhuram Chowdhary’s resignation over the flagrant negligence during the vaccination of children at the school. “What has happened at the school in Sagar, exposes that the state’s health apparatus is flouting all safety norms and protocols in the name of achieving targets under the Covid vaccination mega campaign to score points nationally. Just to stay ahead in national Covid vaccination statistics, the state health apparatus is treating our kids as guinea-pigs. This blatant anomaly has been spotted by one parent at the school today, but this has triggered an apprehension about similar negligence having happened elsewhere with our generation next in the state in the past,” Hafeez alleged.

    It is to be recalled that a month before the Covid-19 vaccination actually started in India, in January 2021, the union ministry for health and family welfare had reportedly pledged strict usage of the “One needle, one syringe, only one-time” protocol in COVID vaccination across the country. 

  • COVID-19: India records 21,566 fresh cases, 45 more fatalities; active infections climb to 1,48,881

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 21,566 coronavirus cases, the highest in 152 days, taking its COVID-19 tally to 4,38,25,185, while the number of active cases in the country climbed to 1,48,881 on Thursday, the Union health ministry said.

    The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,25,870 with 45 more fatalities, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.

    The active cases account for 0.34 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.46 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 3,227 cases was recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.25 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.51 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 4,31,50,434 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.2 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 200.91 crore doses of Covid vaccines have so far been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 2020, 40 lakh on September 5, 2020 and 50 lakh on September 16, 2020.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 2020, 70 lakh on October 11, 2020, 80 lakh on October 29, 2020, 90 lakh on November 20, 2020 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4 last year, the three-crore mark on June 23 last year and four crore cases on January 25 this year.

    Of the 45 new fatalities, 17 were reported from Kerala, seven from Maharashtra, six from West Bengal, two each from Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand and one each from Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.

    NEW DELHI: India saw a single-day rise of 21,566 coronavirus cases, the highest in 152 days, taking its COVID-19 tally to 4,38,25,185, while the number of active cases in the country climbed to 1,48,881 on Thursday, the Union health ministry said.

    The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,25,870 with 45 more fatalities, according to the ministry’s data updated at 8 am.

    The active cases account for 0.34 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.46 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 3,227 cases was recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.25 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.51 per cent, according to the ministry.

    The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 4,31,50,434 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.2 per cent.

    According to the ministry, 200.91 crore doses of Covid vaccines have so far been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 2020, 40 lakh on September 5, 2020 and 50 lakh on September 16, 2020.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 2020, 70 lakh on October 11, 2020, 80 lakh on October 29, 2020, 90 lakh on November 20, 2020 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4 last year, the three-crore mark on June 23 last year and four crore cases on January 25 this year.

    Of the 45 new fatalities, 17 were reported from Kerala, seven from Maharashtra, six from West Bengal, two each from Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand and one each from Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.

  • India achieves milestone of administring 200-crore Covid-19 vaccine

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against Covid-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 200-crore mark on Sunday.

    According to the health ministry data, 98 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose while 90 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

    The data showed that 82 per cent of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years have also been vaccinated with the first dose since the vaccination for this age group began on January 3 while 68 per cent have got both the first and second dose.

    Eighty one per cent of those aged 12-14 years have taken the first dose while 56 per cent are fully vaccinated.

    According to health ministry officials, 71 per cent of the vaccination has taken place in Covid vaccination centres located in rural and 29 per cent in urban areas. Also, 48.9 per cent of the total doses were administered to women while 51.5 per cent in men.

    According to the data, 0.02 per cent of total vaccine doses administered were given to ‘Others’.

    In Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Telangana and Goa, 100 per cent of the 12 year plus eligible population is fully vaccinated.

    The top five states where highest number of doses have been administered are Uttar Pradesh (34,41,93,641), Maharashtra (17,05,59,447), West Bengal (14,40,33,794), Bihar (13,98,52,042) and Madhya Pradesh (12,13,15,911) till 7 am on Sunday.

    ALSO READ | India reports 49 new Covid fatalities, 20,528 cases

    A total of 5,63,67,888 precaution doses have been administered to all eligible population.

    The cumulative Covid vaccine doses administered in the country crossed the 100-crore mark on October 21 last year and 150 crore on January 7 this year.

    The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year.

    The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.

    Vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years began on April 1 last year.

    The government then decided to expand the ambit of the vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years to be inoculated against Covid from May 1 last year.

    Inoculation of adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years commenced on January 3.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The country began inoculating children aged 12-14 from March 16 and also removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose of Covid vaccine.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of Covid-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.

    NEW DELHI: India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against Covid-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 200-crore mark on Sunday.

    According to the health ministry data, 98 per cent of the adult population has received at least one dose while 90 per cent have been fully vaccinated.

    The data showed that 82 per cent of adolescents aged 15 to 18 years have also been vaccinated with the first dose since the vaccination for this age group began on January 3 while 68 per cent have got both the first and second dose.

    Eighty one per cent of those aged 12-14 years have taken the first dose while 56 per cent are fully vaccinated.

    According to health ministry officials, 71 per cent of the vaccination has taken place in Covid vaccination centres located in rural and 29 per cent in urban areas. Also, 48.9 per cent of the total doses were administered to women while 51.5 per cent in men.

    According to the data, 0.02 per cent of total vaccine doses administered were given to ‘Others’.

    In Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh, Telangana and Goa, 100 per cent of the 12 year plus eligible population is fully vaccinated.

    The top five states where highest number of doses have been administered are Uttar Pradesh (34,41,93,641), Maharashtra (17,05,59,447), West Bengal (14,40,33,794), Bihar (13,98,52,042) and Madhya Pradesh (12,13,15,911) till 7 am on Sunday.

    ALSO READ | India reports 49 new Covid fatalities, 20,528 cases

    A total of 5,63,67,888 precaution doses have been administered to all eligible population.

    The cumulative Covid vaccine doses administered in the country crossed the 100-crore mark on October 21 last year and 150 crore on January 7 this year.

    The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year.

    The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.

    Vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years began on April 1 last year.

    The government then decided to expand the ambit of the vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years to be inoculated against Covid from May 1 last year.

    Inoculation of adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years commenced on January 3.

    India began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10.

    The country began inoculating children aged 12-14 from March 16 and also removed the comorbidity clause making all people aged above 60 eligible for the precaution dose of Covid vaccine.

    India on April 10 began administering precaution doses of Covid-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.

  • India reports 49 new Covid fatalities, 20,528 cases

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: With 20,528 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of Covid-19 cases rose to 4,37,50,599, while the active cases increased to 1,43,449, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,25,709 with 49 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 2,689 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

    NEW DELHI: With 20,528 new coronavirus infections being reported in a day, India’s tally of Covid-19 cases rose to 4,37,50,599, while the active cases increased to 1,43,449, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll climbed to 5,25,709 with 49 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the ministry said.

    An increase of 2,689 cases has been recorded in the active Covid-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    India’s Covid-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

    The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.

  • Free Covid precaution doses for 18-59 age group from July 15 at government centres: officials

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: People in the 18-59 age group will get free precaution doses of the Covid vaccine at government vaccination centres under a 75-day special drive likely to begin from July 15, official sources said on Wednesday.

    The drive, aimed at boosting the uptake of Covid precaution doses, will be held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, they said.

    So far, less than 1 per cent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age group have been administered the precaution dose.

    However, around 26 per cent of the estimated 16 crore eligible population aged 60 and above as well as healthcare and frontline workers have received the booster dose, an official source said.

    “A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody levels wane around six months after the primary vaccination with both doses giving a booster increases the immune response,” the official said.

    “The government is therefore planning to start a special drive for 75 days during which individuals aged between 18 and 59 years will be administered precaution doses for free at government vaccination centres starting from July 15,” he said.

    The Union Health Ministry last week reduced the gap between the second and precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all beneficiaries from nine to six months.

    This followed a recommendation from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

    To accelerate the pace of vaccination and encourage booster shots, the government initiated the second round of the ‘Har Ghar Dastak campaign 2.0’ across states and UTs on June 1. The two-month programme is currently underway.

    According to government data, 96 per cent of India’s population has been administered the first dose of Covid vaccine while 87 per cent of the people have taken both doses.

    On April 10 this year, India began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.

    The countrywide vaccination drive had rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year.

    On March 1 last year, COVID-19 vaccination began for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.

    Vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years began on April 1 last year. The government then decided to expand the ambit of the vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years to be inoculated against Covid from May 1 last year.

    Inoculation of those in the age group of 15-18 commenced on January 3 this year. The country began inoculating children aged 12-14 from March 16.